Understanding My Gutters and Downspouts

Understanding how to maintain and troubleshoot your gutters and downspouts.

Keeping your gutters clean and in good shape is one of the most important things you can do to protect your home. Gutters help channel rainwater away from your foundation, roof, and basement. Clogged or damaged gutters can lead to costly problems like water damage, growth, and erosion.

Warranty Expectations 

What’s Covered: Loose or leaking gutters and downspouts caused by installation defects within the first year after settlement.

What to Expect: Gutters should be securely attached and direct water away from the home. Small amounts of standing water immediately after rain are normal, but gutters should not overflow or leak due to poor installation.

How We’ll Help: We’ll repair leaks or misalignment caused by workmanship or material defects. [Van Metre Life] 

How You Can Help: Clean your gutters seasonally to prevent clogging, especially in fall and winter. Keeping gutters clear helps prevent overflow and water damage

Troubleshooting Steps 

• Inspect Your Gutters
  • Before you start cleaning, take time to look things over:
    • Safely set up your ladder on flat ground. If possible, have someone hold it steady.
    • Start near the downspout (where water exits) and check for:
      • Leaves, twigs, and other debris
      • Rust spots, holes, or cracks
      • Sagging or detached sections
      • Loose brackets or fasteners
    • Remove Large Debris
      • Time to get your hands dirty (or your gloves, anyway):
        • Use your gloved hands or a scoop to remove debris.
        • Place it in a bucket or on a tarp to make cleanup easier.
        • Be sure the channel is mostly clear and water can flow toward the downspout.
      • Flush the Gutters
        • Now give your gutters a rinse:
          • Attach a spray nozzle to your garden hose.
          • Start flushing the gutter from the end farthest from the downspout, this pushes debris toward the exit.
          • Watch how water flows, any pooling could mean a clog or a slope issue.
        • Clear Clogged Downspouts
          • If water isn’t draining well, the downspout may be clogged:
            • Try spraying water upward from the bottom to dislodge the clog.
            • If that doesn’t work, feed a plumber’s snake into the spout to break it up.
            • In tough cases, you may need to disconnect the downspout and flush it out with a hose or pressure washer, then reattach it securely.
          • Repair Damage
            • Once everything’s clean, make any needed repairs:
            • Leaks? Dry the area and apply gutter sealant to holes or seams.
            • Loose gutters? Tighten or replace brackets and screws to keep everything in place.
            • Improper slope? Gutters should drop about ¼ inch for every 10 feet toward the downspout. Adjust hangers as needed to fix the slope.